Some history of heredity-vs-environment, genetic inferiority at Harvard (?), and The (incredible) Bell Curve.
This article discusses some historical and intellectual roots of American behaviorism in psychology and its anti-heredity, environmentalist bias, as well as the early 'justification' for pure line theory in genetics and some interrelations between the two fields. Next, I discuss the heritability concept, its promotion, its critique and the importance of distinguishing it from, rather than confusing or conflating it with, the heredity concept. Then, briefly I consider some of the history and problems associated with the intelligence concept, as well as the capital importance of biological controls in studies of human heredity. And finally, I document the incredibility of the The Bell Curve and the appalling inadequacy of its reception.
Hirsch
J
J
Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Champaign 61820, USA.
D004777:Environment; D005824:Genetics, Behavioral / Q000266:history*; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011584:Psychology / Q000266:history*; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000235:genetics; D015871:Scientific Misconduct / Q000266:history; D014481:United States